Answer to Question 1
ANS: A
Severe chest pain that worsens with respirations or lying down in a patient with fever, tachycar-dia, and a friction rub is characteristic of acute pericarditis. MI pain does not worsen with respi-rations. Stable angina does not worsen with respiration or lying down. Pericardial effusion is not manifested by these symptoms.
Answer to Question 2
ANS: C
Valvular dysfunction is often related to rheumatic fever. Heart failure decreases cardiac output but does not affect valvular function. It is not due to connective tissue disorders. Syphilis infec-tion could affect valves, but it is not the most common cause.